MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On Saturday, Feb. 3, students from Tuscan School, along with other elementary school students from the South Orange-Maplewood School District, participated in the Maplewood Memorial Library’s “Kids Speak Out” event. This event was to encourage students to “speak out” and express themselves through writing, art and music to celebrate Black History Month. More than 240 students and community members attended the event. Poetry and artwork from all of the elementary schools was on display for all to admire.
Tuscan students read “I Am From,” two-voice and free-verse poems that they wrote. These poems honored the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and expressed their hopes for the future.
Fifth-grader Max C. recited two poems. One of his poems was called “I Dream A World”; a particularly powerful stanza read, “I dream a world/where hatred is none/and love is all/for the old and the young/the short and the tall.” Aiden S., also in fifth grade, wrote several poems. A stanza from one of his poems eloquently stated, “I dream a world/The world where we say ‘All Lives Matter’/No matter the different variations of diversity/A place where peace will hum a pleasing tune all over the land.” This event provided a platform for these talented students to read their work.
Photos Courtesy of SOMSD
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